Suzuki Swift 2005 Review

What we liked
>> Economy
>> Value pricing
>> Predictable handling

Not so much
>> Electric steering
>> Lack of rear seat room
>> High gearing

OVERVIEW
Suzuki has enjoyed a reputation for good value, reliable and well-built cars albeit with slightly unadventurous styling and acceptable dynamics that have seen worldwide sales rise to almost two million in 2004. This recipe has made Suzuki the fourth largest vehicle manufacturer in Japan and number 12 in the world. You could never call the range exciting, (even including the long-since departed GTi) but the marque has always sold well locally and there is a legion of loyal owners out there who keep coming back for more.

The latest Swift shares only its name with its long gone predecessor - for the moment there's no GTi version - but it should be here within 12 months to satisfy all those boy (and girl) racers out there. The Swift enters the fiercely competitive light car segment, priced aggressively from $15,990 for the manual five-door hatch to $19,990 for the automatic S hatch. It comes up against no less than 22 competitors. Buyers will be surprised and impressed with the new Suzuki Swift as it retains all the solid attributes it had before but adds in good dynamics and a dose of style.

The styling of the Swift is distinctively European and closely mimics the styling cues of the Concept S and S2 show cars: it looks bang up-to-date with a wide air dam, flared wheel arches, rear roof spoiler and smart contouring around the shoulders.

FEATURES
Choosing a Swift is easy with two trim levels and two transmissions on offer. Inside the $15,990 entry-level Swift you'll find height-adjustable power steering (more about that later), electric front and rear windows, electric mirrors, air conditioning and a decent six-speaker CD stereo with controls mounted on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The remote central locking includes an immobiliser to help you hang onto your Swift. You get three good-sized passenger assist grips, along with driver and passenger airbags. The centre dash top display (like the Holden Barina) shows outside temperature, instantaneous fuel consumption and time.

The centre stack has a satin finish with very legible and logically laid-out controls for the heating and ventilation (which includes a pollen filter) as well as the ventilation and stereo controls. The internal door handles are chrome plated and there's some classy-looking black metallic painted door trim garnishes on each door. The front passenger seat has a slide-out tray underneath and a coat hook on the seat back. Interestingly, only the driver gets a vanity mirror. A chrome-tipped exhaust, tinted front windows and body-coloured door handles are not the norm in this class and show Suzuki is serious about winning new buyers to the brand with good equipment levels and attention to the little things. The level of equipment makes the Swift far from a poverty pack and the quality of materials and assembly looks and feels very good.

The $17,990 Swift S builds on the generous equipment of the standard model with a set of 15-inch alloys, front fog lights, driver's assist grip, front seat airbags and front and rear curtain airbags. It's not a huge amount to pay for the added kit and it's good value buying for the price.

Each model also comes with ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. A four-speed automatic is optional, for $2000. Rear parking sensors are a $485 option.

COMFORT
For those lucky enough to be in the front seats the Swift is a pleasant place to be. The vision out is excellent and there's a feeling of space that's enhanced by the base of the windscreen being quite a long way off. The seats are comfortable enough for a long trip, but could do with some more aggressive bolstering to keep you in place if you take advantage of the Swift's good levels of grip and road holding. Adjustable head restraints are fitted to all seats. The interior plastics look and feel good and the texture and colour match is a step up from previous Suzuki efforts.

The console between the seats has a couple of cup holders, removable ashtray and some storage space for small items. There's a larger unlidded bin ahead of the gear lever, deep door pockets, front passenger seatback pocket and a usable glove box so there's plenty of storage space inside. The deep rear hatchback does not reveal a lot of room though, but at least it is lit and has a 60/40 split rear seat for those longer items.

The driver gets a height adjustable leather-covered steering wheel with (unlit) stereo controls.

For those in the back seat there is a lack of legroom and getting in and out requires a bit more agility than is ideal. There's good headroom, but the rear is not the place for adults on anything other than a short trip. There are child proof rear door locks and a child safety seat mounting point. There is only one cup holder in the back and storage is limited to one front seatback pocket.

SAFETY
The safety story is as good as anything else in the class with two front airbags, pre-tensioning front seatbelts, five adjustable head restraints and three-point belts in the rear. It's very worthwhile to spend the extra $2000 for the S model to get the front seat mounted airbags and side curtain airbags, front and rear. Good, strong ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are standard, as are grippy 185/6060R tyres on both models.

The Swift gets four stars in the Euro NCAP tests, putting it among class leaders locally.

MECHANICAL
The 1.5-litre VVT four-cylinder develops a willing 74kW @ 6000rpm and 133Nm @ 4000rpm. A slick five-speed manual transmission is standard in both models with a four-speed auto optional, for $2000. The manual gear change is one of the lightest in recent memory but it's hooked up to a reasonably high set of ratios. In second gear you can almost hit 100km/h and in fifth gear the engine speed will be around 3000rpm, depending on the open road limit. Despite a trim kerb weight of 1030kg the high gearing blunts the willing nature of the engine; if you want more than leisurely performance you'll need to row the gear stick a bit. The engine is very happy to rev to its 6500rpm cutout and the light clutch and short gate make gear-changing a pleasure.

COMPETITORS
The light car class is one of the most price-sensitive and aggressive markets around, with more than 20 nameplates slugging it out. The Hyundai Getz, Honda Jazz, Holden Barina and Toyota Echo account for more than 8,500 of the 14,000 or so sales in the light car class so far this year.

Suzuki Australia isn't aiming to be class sales leader and wants at least 300 per month leaving the showrooms - already they've asked Japan for more cars as demand exceeds supply. The Swift matches or beats all its competitors on equipment and in the driving stakes it is every bit as good as anything in the class, and only the Mazda2, Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio have the edge in the sportiness and drivability of their respective chassis.

Where the Swift will win buyers over is the styling which is much more European in look and finish. The Swift looks a lot more expensive than it actually is and allied with an enviable reputation for reliability the Swift is sure to make its mark in this class.

ON THE ROAD
The Swift is one of the quietest small cars around town and out on the open road it lopes along quietly and comfortably at the legal limit. Over 450km the Swift impressed with an average overall of 6.8l/100km and its willing engine (be in the right gear though) and surefooted handling and smooth ride.

It's the ride that really impresses though as it is quiet and well controlled without compromising road holding or handling. The Swift is no sports car yet it has a very predictable chassis with not too much understeer. There isn't too much body roll and it seems unaffected by crosswinds.

In overtaking maneuvers the Swift benefits from changing down a gear or two as the gearing is high and torque relatively low. The brakes are up to the task and the ABS helps pull up the Swift quickly and effectively when called on. The only downside is the electric-assisted steering: it lacks feel and it's quite easy to lose full assistance in parking maneuvers. There is a decided lack of precision to it off-centre and whilst being light to use it would benefit from further engineering to deliver added feel and accuracy.

Overall the Swift is an impressive vehicle with excellent economy, more than a hint of sportiness, stand out styling and lots of thoughtful touches. It shows that Suzuki has really sweated the detail on this car and come up with a truly competitive and value product that is well worth considering.